BMW 328i Complaints (2000)

112 consumer complaints on file.

#10167220September 1, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
AT ABOUT 112K MILES I NOTICED A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATIONS AT THE POINT WHERE THE MOUNT WAS WELDED TO THE UNIBODY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS AT NORMAL INTERVALS. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THE REST IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS. IT IS A FAMILY CAR AND HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS PERIOD. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A BMW NA CPO WARRANTY THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO COVER ANY REPAIR COSTS ( ESTIMATED AT >3000 DOLLARS) BMW NA HAS IGNORED REPEATED REQUESTS FROM OWNERS TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. IN FACT, BMW GERMANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND COVERS THE COST OF REPAIRS, THEY EVEN HAVE A METHOD OF REPAIR. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THE SUSPENSION SHOULD NEVER SEPARATE FROM THE BODY BECAUSE OF TORSION FORCES FROM THE TRANS/DIFF. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I PERSONALLY HAVE A LIST OF OVER 100 NAMES WITH DOCUMENTED SUBFRAME CRACKING/FAILURE OF THE E46 BODY YEARS 1999-2000. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE HAVE SUBFRAME DAMAGE AT THE SAME REAR DRIVERS SIDE DIFF MOUNT, IN OTHER WORDS, OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE FAILURE POINTS, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE IS NEARLY ALWAYS THE FAILURE POINT !! I IMPLORE THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES !!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165036August 9, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A VIBRATION WAS HEARD AND FELT WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT CONTINUED TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10MPH. THE NOISE WAS CONTINUOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE SAME SOLUTION AS THE DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157435May 12, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CONTROL SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO AVOID FUTURE AIRBAG FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155259April 13, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE (2000 328I, 80,000 MILES). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144320March 28, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, WHEELS
THE EXACT DATE UNKNOWN. IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAINS IN SAN DIEGO. INSURANCE CO. SAID I NEED A DATE. WE PUT DOWN NOV 02 2005. DURING HEAVY RAIN SAN DIEGO DEVELOPS HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF POT HOLES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, THE CAR RAN INTO A LARGE POT HOLE. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ACCORDING TO THE MAN THAT INSTALLED NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. AT LATER WEEKS THE CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, I THOUGHT IT WAS REAR SHOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO BMW REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE INSPECTION MY SON WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SHOCK BUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE CONTACTED BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS METAL FATIGUE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. (THE INSURANCE CO.) BMW DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR FRAME THAT OTHER CARS DO. ALL THE WHEELS AND OTHER PARTS ARE HELD UP BY SOME KIND OF JOINT THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. HE GAVE ME AN EXAMPLE "IF YOU HAVE A TOWEL RACK IN THE BATHROOM AND SOME ONE PULLS IT DOWN YOU KNOW HOW SCREWS AND DRY WALL WILL LOOK LIKE?" HE BLAMES IT ON MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. *NM UPDATED *JB ON FEBRUARY 6, 2006 BMW ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLES DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150434February 16, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT VIBRATED THROUGHOUT. THE NOISE BECAME MORE COMMON AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING IN GENERAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE SUB FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BODY ALONG THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS CRASHES OR DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148894January 28, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CRASH - NO INJURIES. XENON HEADLIGHTS OF A 328I 2000 BMW. LOW FLAT BEAM NOTED TO BE A PROBLEM - I CAME UP UPON FOUR VERTICAL STICKS IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD, A RURAL 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD, ON A DARK NIGHT. WHEN I WAS APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THEM, THE LIGHT REFLECTING FROM THE ROAD, ILLUMINATED THE UNDERSIDE OF A DEER. LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I ASKED THE BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ,AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE RAISED BECAUSE THE XENON LIGHTS WOULD BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS, AND THEY WERE AT THE CORRECT HEIGHT. ONE YEAR LATER, MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, AND HIT A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK. CONDITIONS - NIGHT, RECENT SNOW PLOWED STREETS CAUSED THE PICKUP TO PARK A FOOT AND A HALF FROM THE CURB. THE TRUCK WAS A DARK GREEN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, FARM PICKUP (HIGH BUMPER)(MID BUMPER MEASURES 27" OFF PAVEMENT). MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. NEITHER SEEN THE PICKUP UNTIL THE LAST SECOND. MY DAUGHTER SPOTTED IT FIRST AND SCREAMED. MY SON LOOKED OVER AT HER AND LOOKED BACK JUST AS THEY HIT IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE HE EVEN HIT THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, HE STARTED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. THE BUMPER OF THE CAR WENT UNDER THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK , HITTING ONLY THE TRUCK'S SPARE TIRE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE TRUCK'S BUMPER DID HIT THE RADIATOR AND VALVE COVER OF THE ENGINE. THE BMW WAS TOTALED - THE RIGHT SHOCK TOWER WAS MOVED BACK BY ABOUT 5 INCHES. THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF - DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IS BECAUSE, "THE BUMPERS DID NOT HIT". THE TRUCK HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE - BENT BUMPER, TRUCK BED WAS ELEVATED AND DID DENT THE BACK OF THE CAB/DRIVERS SIDE. I BELIEVE THAT THE XENON LIGHTS PROBABLY DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE PARKED TRUCK ADEQUATELY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT SHINE HIGH ENOUGH. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER DRIVERS OF BMWS AND MERCEDES.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147648January 12, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE AND THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVED THE CRACK OCCURRED FROM DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144778December 8, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE WHERE REAR SUSPENSION CONNECTS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MISTREATED OR RUN ON ANYTHING BUT STREET ROADS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RACED, PRIMARILY A FAMILY VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135087September 1, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 2000 BMW 328I IS ALL STOCK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A HIGH-END AFTERMARKET INTAKE... IT IS ONE OF MANY E46 BMW'S TO HAVE THE DREADED "BODY FAILURE AT REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINT". LET ME BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ISSUE AT HAND: "...THE REAR MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE SUBFRAME CAN RIP OUT FROM THEIR SPOTS IN THE SHEET METAL. ...THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMITS THE TORSIONAL LOAD FROM THE ENGINE THROUGH THE SUBFRAME, THEN INTO THE CHASSIS. THIS CONSTANT LOADING AND UNLOADING WEAKENS THE SHEET METAL AND CAUSES IT TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS. THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN MANY FAILURES OF THE CHASSIS ON LOW MILEAGE STREET CARS.." THAT IS A QUOTE FROM THE RESPECTED BMW SPECIALISTS AT TURNER MOTORSPORT (WWW.TURNERMOTORSPORT.COM). THAT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I'VE HAD. BMWAG (GERMANY) RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND HAS ADDRESSED IT... BMWNA (NORTH AMERICA) HAS BLOWN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF US OFF... STATING THAT WE ARE POST WARRANTY AND THAT IT'S DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS OR JUST WEAR AND TEAR. THE FRAME, SUBFRAME, AND IT'S MOUNTING POINTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WITHOUT QUESTION. I'VE ALREADY GOT A LAWYER WHICH WILL BE PERUSING THIS - AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW UNTIL THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL E46 BMWS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE - WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION / FRAME COLLAPSES ON A WINDY ROAD OR ON THE HIGHWAY? IT WILL ABSOLUTELY LOSE CONTROL AND MOST LIKELY HEAD LEFT - TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE WHICH I CAN DRIVE AND THE CONDITION IS ONLY GETTING WORSE ... LOUDER ... MORE ANNOYING. PLEASE HELP. THERE ARE MUCH MORE OF US THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE... PLEASE REFER TO THE LINKS BELOW. I'M NOT TRYING TO GET OVER ON ANYONE - I JUST KNOW THAT BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE ... THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST AUTOMOBILES ON THE ROAD, NOT TO MENTION "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE". THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, I DO APPRECIATE IT. JOHN HANSON. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132304August 10, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
1. THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW WOULD MAKE A CLICK SOUND WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE/OPEN. 2. THE WINDOW STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE POWER BUTTON AND WOULD NOT GO UP/DOWN. THE WINDOW GLASS THEN SLID DOWN BY ITSELF. SINCE I WAS DRIVING I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. MY INFANT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW GLASS CAME DOWN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE WIND WAS COMING CREATING SAFETY HAZARD. I STOPPED TO BRING THE GLASS UP BY HAND BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY UP AND SLID DOWN ALL THE TIME. 3. II HAD TO GET THE WINDOW REGULATOR CHANGED WHICH COST $260. THIS WINDOW WAS VERY RARELY USED FOR UP/DOWN THROUGH THE POWER SWITCH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10123691May 31, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN BRAKES GAVE OUT. CAR HIT 2 TREES AND CAME TO STOP. $6500 BODY DAMAGE. BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. BREAKS AFTER INSPECTION REQUIRE OVER $1500 REPAIR. BREAK CALIPERS BENT. TECHNICIAN ATTRIBUTES BREAK FAILURE TO CALIPERS BEING DEFECTIVE AND WEAK IN ALL 3 SERIES AND 5 SERIES BMW.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107345January 13, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FUEL HOSE IS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH COULD DANGEROUS BECAUSE A FIRE CAN EASILY OCCUR. OWNER WILL TAKE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104989December 16, 2004
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM REAR AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME CRACKED,AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102906December 14, 2004
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON MY 2000 BMW 328I HAS FAILED (RED WARNING LIGHT ON) 3 TIMES. ALTHOUGH THE RED LIGHT HAS BEEN ON, MY WIFE AND I ALWAYS DRIVE WITH OUR BELTS FASTENED AND DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM (TWO TIMES IT HAS REQUIRED RETURNING THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME DUE TO AVAILABILITY OF REPLACEMENT PARTS), WE HAVE OPTED TO DRIVE WITH THE LIGHT ON UNTIL THE NEXT SCHEDULED VEHICLE SERVICE. THE LAST TIME THE AIR BAG FAILED WE WERE CHARGED APPROXIMATELY $500 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS REPAIR WAS OCTOBER 2004. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE TOLD US THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS DECEMBER 2003 WHEN WE HAD THE NEXT MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT RELATED AND THEREFORE NOT WARRANTABLE. WHEN WE SAID WE DID NOT AGREE WITH HAVING TO PAY FOR A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT, THEY TOLD US TO CONTACT BMW. WE THEN CONTACTED BMW, WE WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP US, SEE THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN BMW'S SRS SYSTEM. THE ONLY OTHER VEHICHLE WE HAVE HAD ON WHICH THE AIR BAG LIGHT LIT INDICATING AN SRS FAILURE WAS A 1994 BMW 325TD WE OWNED WHEN WE LIVED IN EUROPE. WILL THE SRS SYSTEM WORK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH? IN ADDITION, WE HAVE READ THAT US LAW REQUIRES THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT, AND WE FEEL THAT 3 FAILURES IN 4 YEARS INDICATES A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060367March 4, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
2000, 328I BMW. MY DRIVERSIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT. BMW HAS OFFERED TO SETTLE IF I SIGN A BROAD RELEASE SAYING I CAN'T TALK TO ANYONE IN THE MEDIA, ETC. THEY INSIST I HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD WHICH I DID NOT. MY SON WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NEXT TO ME WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD BEEN SHOT, MY ARM HURT SO BAD. BUT MY SON SCREAMED, "MOM IT IS YOUR AIRBAG". WE CALLED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND TOWED IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. I THOUGHT THAT WE DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. BUT, BMW IS CALLING ME A LIAR. THEY SAID THERE IS LEFT STRUT TOWER DAMAGE. WHEN I TALKED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE AND WAS THERE WHILE BMW WAS INVESTIGATING. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE, YET THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT LOOKS LIKE 2000 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR RECALLS ON AIRBAGS. THE BMW IS NOT LISTED AND I WONDER IF THEY HAVE COVERED UP OTHER PROBLEMS. I ASSURE YOU I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, THE DEPLOYEMENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A WELL MAINTAINED ROAD. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS, THANK YOU.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10055677January 22, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH SIDE AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047040November 17, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES. PER MY SERVICE ADVISORS, THE PARTS/DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. THE FIRST SEVEN WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE LAST TWO ON NOV 14, 2003 WERE NOT. THE COST TO REPLACE WAS $ 456.38. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039731September 11, 2003
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO WINDSHIELD, CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTIVE VIEW. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017958May 1, 2003
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED A CORNER THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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